VietNam Culture: national team

Showing posts with label national team. Show all posts

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Top players await Golden Ball result

Fan favourite: Former national team captain Nguyen Minh Phuong (right) plays in a friendly at Ha Noi's My Dinh National Stadium. — VNS Photo Quang Thang

HA NOI — More than 100 sports journalists, coaches and experts have cast their votes for their favourite men's and women's footballers in the prestigious Golden Ball contest. The outcome will be announced next week.

The vote, organised by Sai Gon Giai Phong (Liberated Sai Gon) newspaper, is to select the best from a list of 29 candidates who also include young and foreign footballers.

V-League two-time champions Becamex Binh Duong dominate the list with three candidates – Nguyen Anh Duc, Nguyen Vu Phong and Huynh Quang Thanh.

Dong Tam Long An follow with two key players Phan Van Tai Em and Nguyen Minh Phuong.

On the women's list, announced by the organising committee on Tuesday, six Ha Noi players who helped the national team win the Southeast Asian Games in Laos for the fourth time are included.

Ha Minh Tuan of Da Nang and Nguyen Van Quyet of Viettel are promising candidates for the best young players of the year.

Argentinean goal poacher Gaston Merlo, the best striker in the national football V-League championship twice in a row, will face stronger competition from Brazilian Leandro De Oliveira, who moved to Binh Duong after a three-year contract with Hai Phong, Antonio Carlos of Dong Tam Long An, South African Kubheka Philam from Binh Duong and Nigerian Samson Kayode from Dong Thap.

Merlo, who helped Da Nang win the V-League title in 2009, won Best Foreign Player in the vote last year.

Last year, young playmaker Pham Thanh Luong from Ha Noi ACB won the men's Golden Ball, while HCM City's Doan Thi Kim Chi clinched the women's title for the fourth time

Striker Le Cong Vinh from Ha Noi T&T and former national forward Le Huynh Duc, who now coaches Da Nang, both won the Golden Ball three times in a row.

The new winners will be announced at an award ceremony in HCM City on March 28. — VNS

Friday, February 18, 2011

T&T set for Da Nang showdown

Comeback: Top striker Le Cong Vinh (right) of Ha Noi T&T will be back in action after a prolonged injury. — VNS Photo Quang Thang

HA NOI — The national football league resumes play today after a three-week Tet holiday break with a match between defending champions Ha Noi T&T and SHB Da Nang in the capital city.

The match is considered entrepreneur Do Quang Hien's own personal derby, as the businessman owns both teams.

The winner of the game will receive a huge bonus from Hien, who has urged both teams to compete in the spirit of fair play.

This is only the third season that Ha Noi T&T have been completing in the V-League- Eximbank Cup, but they have always won against Da Nang when playing at home.

In addition, Ha Noi T&T are in high spirits following victories in the first two matches of the season. They currently top the table, while Da Nang stand sixth following a victory and a loss.

Ha Noi T&T's fire power received a substantial boost today with the news that top national team striker Le Cong Vinh will be in the line up for the match, his first match after an injury eight months ago.

Vinh said he was very keen to get back into action.

"I have totally recovered and feel very strong," he said. "I hope I can play with the same skill as before my injury."

Vinh's return is a major boost for the team, which is seeking to extend its lead in the league.

Coach Phan Thanh Hung revealed that he added Vinh to the list of substitutes for today's game, and the striker will be allowed to play if he is needed.

"It is possible that Vinh will come off the bench," said Hung. "I will give him a chance to compete but it is not good for him if he is forced to play too much."

Apart from Vinh, T&T are also welcoming back former national player Thach Bao Khanh, who was rested for a month due to an ankle injury. Khanh, who joins the club from Thanh Hoa, is a tough midfielder and will make Hung's line-up more solid.

Former champs Da Nang also boast a strong line up. In preparation for the season, coach Le Huynh Duc has brought home several top players, including former national team captain Nguyen Minh Phuong.

Phuong will be a key player during the match, along with Argentinean Gaston Merlo who was the top goal scorer during the last two seasons and has scored twice already this season.

Duc and his players travelled to Ha Noi on Wednesday to familiarise themselves with the capital city's cold.

In the other matches tomorrow, Ha Noi ACB will play Hoang Anh Gia Lai at Hang Day; Vicem Hai Phong will face Dong Thap at Hai Phong's Lach Tray Stadium; hosts Ninh Binh will meet former champions Dong Tam Long An in Ninh Binh Province; Lam Son Thanh Hoa will clash with Navibank Sai Gon at Thong Nhat Stadium in HCM City; two-time winner Becamex Binh Duong host dark horses Khatoco Khanh Hoa at Go Dau, and in Vinh, Song Lam Nghe An welcome Hoa Phat Ha Noi. — VNS

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

I want to play for Vietnam: Russian volleyballer

Kim Nhung (left)

Photo: Tuoi Tre

Playing a key post in the high-profile volleyball team Vietsovpetro of Vietnam, Russian-born player Merliakovax Ira now sets her sight on being included in the Vietnamese national team after she was naturalized in August, 2010.

The 27-year-old player told Tuoi Tre she has been working hard after holding Vietnamese citizenship so that she will be enlisted in the Vietnamese team for the 2011 Southeast Asian Games to be held in November in Indonesia.

Le Kim Nhung, her Vietnamese name, who is 1.85m tall and weighs 72kg, had a talk with Tuoi Tre.

What are your feelings of the Lunar New Year festival in Vietnam after spending 6 years working here?

In previous years, I usually joined my teammates to visit club’s coaches and spread them our wishes, and in return, we were given lucky money.

But during this 2011 Tet, I had to return to my homeland in Russia for some work.

Can you tell us something about your Vietnamese name Le Kim Nhung?

I think it’s better to have a pure Vietnamese name than combining both foreign and local names.

I consulted my friends and teammates in Vietnam and they all like it.

Can you give us a brief info of your family?

My father is a retired volleyball coach and my mom is a kindergarten’s music teacher. She also played volleyball as an amateur.

Before moving to Vietnam, I played for Dynamo Kiev in Russia.

You won the Best Attacker of the VTV Binh Dien Cup last month

I won that kind of title many times at many other tournaments during my six years in Vietnam. However, the latest one is the most meaningful to me as it marked the first title I won after being granted Vietnamese nationality.

What do you think about volleyball in Vietnam and in Southeast Asia?

To be frank, the development of Vietnamese volleyball is still amateur. What Vietnam need most now is to organize more events for local teams to compete and exchange.

In the region, Thailand is taking the lead and many Thai players are holding key positions at clubs here.

However, I wish the Vietnamese national volleyball team will beat Thailand at this year’s SEA Games. I also hope my Vietsovpetro club will gain best results at this year’s season.

Le Kim Nhung is qualified to be included in the national team to compete at the coming SEA Games, said Vietnam Volleyball Federation general secretary Tran Duc Phan.

In addition, she has never played for a Russian national team at any international tournament.

“We will soon discuss all aspects of the matter to admit her in our national squad,” said Phan.

“Vietnam will become stronger with her service.”

kimnhung 2

Russian-born volleyball player Merliakovax Ira (L), who was given Vietnamese citizenship in August, 2010. She is now playing for Vietnam's top-flight club Vietsovpetro

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Cyclists to race to Phnom Penh

Cyclists from Laos, Cambodia and Thailand will take part in a four-day Viet Nam cycling race to Cambodia to mark the latter's New Year Festival in April.

The 600km race will start in HCM City and finish in Phnom Penh on New Year's day, which usually falls on April 13-14 at the end of the harvesting season.

The race, which is being co-organised by Viet Nam's People's Army Newspaper and the Viet Nam Cycling Federation, offers prizes totalling VND2 billion (US$100,000).

"It will be a good opportunity for Vietnamese athletes to hone their skills," said race organiser Do Nam Thang.

The organising committee will offer prizes to the overall yellow jersey (the best time rider); green jersey for the best stage finish athlete and white jersey, for the best young cyclist.

In 2004, the newspaper organised a 1,212km race from Ha Noi to Dien Bien Province to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Viet Nam's victory over French forces.

In 2006, a HCM City Television cycling race was held between HCM City and Laos.

Calisto to review Cup failure

Viet Nam Football Federation and Portuguese coach Henrique Calisto will meet to review the failure of the men's football team at the ASEAN Football Championship, AFF-Suzuki Cup last year.

The team, who won the regional event in 2008, were defeated 2-0 on aggregate by old rivals Malaysia in a two-leg semi-final.

Malaysia eventually went on to clinch the title after a 4-2 win over Indonesia in the final.

VFF's National Team Coaching Department will discuss with Calisto, who recently returned to Viet Nam after a holiday in Portugal, the team's performance at the AFF Cup, which was co-hosted by Viet Nam and Indonesia, and plan for the 2012 London Olympics and 2014 World Cup Qualifiers.

The 58-year-old took over the U-23 team and the national team at the same time as part of a three-year contract signed in 2008.

The national team also failed to qualify for the 2011 Asian Cup, in Qatar.

Course targets golfing talents

A rules and umpire training course will be held at the Twin Doves Golf Club in the southern province of Binh Duong on March 15, announced the Viet Nam Golf Association (VGA) yesterday.

The course, the first of it's kind, will be co-organised by the VGA in conjunction with the Royal and Ancient Golf Club (R&A) for Vietnamese golfers and umpires.

Lecturers from R&A will hold three short-course classes for Vietnamese trainees.

The VGA is developing a programme to identify talented young golfers in schools across the country from next year.

Adventure races at Cat Tien

The fourth edition of the Madagui Trophy will be held on March 5-6 at Cat Tien National Park.

Madagui Trophy is an adventure sport event with three different entrant levels: Adventure is for sport fans who are beginners to adventure racing; Extreme is for high level sportsmen and Ultra is for experienced racers only.

Athletes will learn to get comfortable with being uncomfortable and find their through adversity to reach the finish line, organisers said.

Entrants from China, the US, the UK, Switzerland, France, New Zealand, Singapore and Viet Nam will compete in the event.

For more information see www.vietadventure.vn. — VNS

Saturday, January 22, 2011

V-League season promises drama, greater professionalism

Game on: Le Tan Tai of Khanh Hoa (left) tries to get past Tran Tuan Anh of HCM City team in their V-League match last year. Khanh Hoa meet Hai Phong team in their V-League opener away today. — VNA/VNS Photo Quang Nhut

The new season of the national football championship, V-League, begins this weekend. It is the first time all clubs are now operating as official businesses. It also marks the biggest-ever prize money for the victory team as well as a TV broadcast deal with a private company. Viet Nam News spoke to Le Hung Dung, deputy chairman of the Viet Nam Football Federation (VFF), about the new season, the use of sponsorship money and the plans to improve the quality of V-League and make it more professional.

The new V-League football season will begin today. The tournament definitely has new features compared to the 2010 season. Could you tell us what they are?

This is the first season all 14 participating clubs are recognised as businesses, according to regulations of the FIFA and Asian Football Confederation (AFC).

Besides that, this year's V-League also has other new features. The quality will improve because of the bigger prize money, which is strong motivation for clubs to play their best. I think there will be many aggressive matches.

There are also more matches to be broadcast live than in previous seasons and this will help further enhance the brand and image of the V-League.

Are there any changes in the regulation of the number of foreign players on the pitch at one time?

National football championship kicks off with Ha Noi derby

The new season of the 2011 national football championship, Eximbank V-League 2011, will start this weekend with seven matches across the country.

Some notable first-round matches include defending champions Ha Noi T&T vs Hoa Phat Ha Noi, Becamex Binh Duong vs Ninh Binh, SHB Da Nang vs Hoang Anh Gia Lai.

The champions will receive a total of VND3 billion ($150,000), thrice higher than that of 2010. The runners-up pocket VND1.5 billion ($75,000) and the third team gets VND750 million ($37,500).

In addition, the organisers will also award a fair play prize of VND200 million ($10,000), and a prize of VND20 million ($1,000) for the best coach of the season.

The best scorer also pockets VND20 million ($1,000), the best fan club, VND20 million ($1,000), and the best team of the month, VND30 million ($1,500).

This year, the federation will apply the 4-3 rule. Each club will be allowed to register four foreign players on the team list and they are allowed to field a maximum of three on the pitch at once instead of last year's 5-3 rule.

I support the use of foreign players in the V-League. Not only is it an inevitable trend but it also brings benefit to Viet Nam football.

Foreign players help improve the quality of local players, which, in turn, contributed to the increasingly improved quality of the national team. The evidence is that Viet Nam are playing well in recent years.

The team no longer fears taller opponents and can even play with many strong teams from the Middle East on an equal footing. We have the disadvantages of size and physical strength as well as a poor training facility.

I think that V-League is the best foundation for the national team. However, we limit the number of foreign players playing on the pitch for the sake of the national team. I support players of Vietnamese origin like American player Lee Nguyen The Anh, who could receive Vietnamese nationality and play for the national team.

Does VFF has any policy to encourage clubs to give talented young players more opportunities to play in order to create sources for the Olympic team in the 26th SEA Games in Indonesia this year?

VFF will create a legal framework to encourage and allow clubs to do that but it is the owners and coaches who have the right to field the players on the pitch. The federation does not have the right to tell clubs which players they should field.

The Viet Nam Export Import Commercial Joint-Stock Bank (Viet Nam Eximbank) decided to sponsor V-League for three successive seasons, with the sponsorship value of VND90 billion (US$4.5 million). How will VFF use the money to make the V-League better?

I need to make it clear that Viet Nam Eximbank will sponsor V-League three successive seasons, with sponsorship value of the next season being higher than the previous season by 10 per cent. So the total sponsorship value of all three seasons would be VND100 billion ($5 million).

After every season, Viet Nam Eximbank and VFF will sit down and talk about how VFF used the money and what Viet Nam Eximbank gained from this sponsorship.

The sponsorship deal will be stopped if it does not bring the desired effect in terms of the promotion to the bank and if the quality of V-League declines.

The federation will have plans to use the money it gets from V-League. I am responsible for financial issues of the federation, so I will ask the general secretary and related divisions to carefully use the money to ensure that it is used efficiently and for good purposes. — VNS

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Football stars score off the field

Moonlighting: National team goalie Bui Tan Truong (left) and his teammate Le Cong Vinh at a training session in Ha Noi. Both players have undertaken successful business ventures off the field. — VNS Photos Quang Thang

Moonlighting: National team goalie Bui Tan Truong (top) and his teammate Le Cong Vinh at a training session in Ha Noi. Both players have undertaken successful business ventures off the field. — VNS Photos Quang Thang

HCM CITY — Well-paid local football stars are increasingly looking to the investment sector as a way of supplementing their incomes.

The most recent sports star to go into business is national Olympic team's goalkeeper Bui Tan Truong, who received VND5 billion (US$250,000) for an extended three-year contract with V-League football club Dong Thap last year.

Truong, who is also a senior national team keeper, invested more than VND 1billion in a joint complex of six artificial-turf pitches with Nguyen Ngoc Anh Tu, who works for a military company.

The complex called Sai Gon Football Club K2 is on Tran Van Du Street, Tan Binh District and has six pitches for five-person games. Each pitch has 12 lights.

"Truong is a good player and a well-behaved person. So I decided to ask him to join me in this complex, which is worth about VND4 billion ($200,000)," Tu said, adding that he will open a sports shop in the facility.

"I am a player, so opening mini-artificial turf business is something I am familiar with," said Truong, who also is investing his money to open an internet shop for his wife and buy a 16-seat Mercedes-Benz car for his brother.

"I am sometimes away to play football and Tu will manage the business. We believe in each other. After one week of operation, I feel optimistic about our success," he said.

Although the complex has only been open for a week during pre-Lunar New Year holidays, not a prime time for his target customers, many youth visited the complex yesterday evening.

Truong is not the first football star to use his earnings in this way.

Le Huynh Duc, national team's former striker and now coach of former V-League champion, SHB Da Nang, has sports shops in HCM City and Da Nang.

However, star striker Le Cong Vinh, who once opened a restaurant in Vinh Yen city of Vinh Phuc Province with Ha Noi T&T teammate Duong Hong Son, said many players did not have enough time to devote to management.

But he also pointed that managing an artificial grass-turf business was not as difficult or time-consuming.

Last year, the National Olympic team player Pham Thanh Luong opened a cafe named Diva in Ha Noi while the national team striker Nguyen Anh Duc did the same with a chain of shops that sells sports equipment in Binh Duong Province and HCM City. — VNS

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

US-based footballer eyes Vietnam national team

Vietnamese-American footballer Lee Nguyen is applying for Vietnamese citizenship to be able to appear in the national team of Vietnam

Vietnamese-American footballer Lee Nguyen, who played for the US national squad in 2007 as substitutes, is applying for Vietnamese citizenship to be eligible to play in the Vietnamese national team.

The 24-year-old midfielder, who is working for Binh Duong FC, told Tuoi Tre that filing for Vietnam naturalization is an initial move aimed at being called into the Vietnamese national football team in the future.

“It is his legitimate aspirations and so, we will offer him legal support to attain the status,” said Binh Duong club’s general director Doan Van Ut.

Nguyen almost rose to stardom after returning to play for Vietnam’s top-flight V-League club Hoang Anh Gia Lai in 2009 and scored 12 goals from his 24 appearances.

He had appeared in the US side as substitutes to play against Paraguay and Colombia at the 2007 Copa America and staged a friendly match with China, but scored none.

According to FIFA regulation, a player who joins the national team of a country from the starting line-up and plays no more than three games is still permitted to play for other national team.

Thus, the plan of Lee Nguyen to play for Vietnam is still within his reach if he is granted citizenship and selected by head coach of Vietnam, according to Vietnam’s football governing body – VFF general secretary Tran Quoc Tuan.

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Calisto mystified by captain's retirement

by Tien Thanh

HCM CITY — The captain of the national team, Nguyen Minh Phuong, has decided to retire from international football following Viet Nam's elimination from the AFF Suzuki Cup tournament last week.

National coach Henrique Calisto has denied any knowledge of the decision though Phuong told Viet Nam News that he has informed both the Portuguese coach and the football authorities.

"I am 30 now and feel a little bit old.

"I decided to withdraw from the team because I want to allow young players to get more chances to play for the national team."

Asked about his most memorable moment for the national team, he said without hesitation: "It was when Viet Nam beat Thailand at My Dinh [Stadium in Ha Noi] to lift the AFF Cup trophy for the first time in the history of the tournament."

This was in 2008. In the second leg of the final in Ha Noi, Phuong trapped a free kick and drove the ball to striker Le Cong Vinh who leaped to glance into the far corner to help Viet Nam beat Thailand 3-2 on aggregate.

Phuong made his international debut in 1999 when he played in the Olympic qualifiers and then played for the full national team in 2002. He played 73 times and scored 12 goals.

He won two V-League titles with his former club, Dong Tam Long An.

Phuong has signed a three-year contract with SHB Da Nang for whom he will play in the V-League season that kicks off next month.

Calisto told Viet Nam News: "I have not heard anything about Phuong's retirement. I have not heard any players expressing their desire to retire."

He also refused to talk about changes to the team after the AFF Cup.

He admitted to making some mistakes in the semi-finals against Malaysia but pointed out that the loss of too many important players like Le Cong Vinh and Pham Van Quyen just ahead of the AFF Cup also took a toll.

The Portuguese coach left for home last night for a one-month Christmas break and will return later next month. — VNS

VFF to hold national meeting on Suzuki Cup loss

Yes or no for naturalized players in national squad?

Vietnamese football analyst Nguyen Van Vinh

Photo: Tuoi Tre

In our discussion on whether Vietnam should recruit naturalized foreign footballers for the national team, currently a hot topic after Vietnam’s early exit at Suzuki Cup, respected football analyst Nguyen Van Vinh turns the question on its head.

“Does Malaysia have any naturalized foreign players on its team?” he asked.

“Whatever you do with naturalized players is OK, as long as it is to improve domestic football in Vietnam,” the former coach and technical director of V-League club Hoang Anh Gia Lai told Tuoi Tre.

He added that we could not compare foreign players being granted citizenship in Vietnam with similar stories in other countries.

“The difference is the way and motivation we grant citizenship to them,” Vinh said.

In foreign countries, a player of foreign origin is only given the honor if he or she is well integrated into the local culture and society.

An example, the Germans -- who are much proud of their stock -- introduced their national football squad to the 2010 World Cup Finals in South Africa in June with 11 players of foreign origin.

They are, however, almost 100 percent Germans before learning to play football, Vinh said, adding that they grow up and rely on professional training in Germany to become talented. As such, they should not raise any eyebrow when given the honor to don the national cap and play for the national team.

In Vietnam, non-native footballers came to Vietnam on a football contract with local clubs and were later awarded citizenship with strong legal support from their clubs.

The reason these clubs wanted to naturalize these foreigners is to evade the local rule capping the number of foreign players on any team at three.

Consequently, admitting naturalized players into the Vietnamese national team cannot help improve the domestic football landscape.

“The national football team of Malaysia include all domestic players, but can still advance to the finals of the ongoing Suzuki Cup,” Vinh said.

The bottom line is, to make the Vietnamese national team stronger relies on well thought-out development plan, not on the use of naturalized players, according to the expert.

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

AFF Cup flop needs sober reflection

by Tien Thanh

HCM CITY — Viet Nam's elimination from the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup 2010 capped a significantly unsuccessful year for national football in the regional arena.

After scaling euphoric heights by winning the AFF Cup in 2008, Vietnamese football has come down to earth, firmly.

After co-hosting the Asian Cup 2007, Vietnamese football experienced considerable progress, culminating in victory at the AFF Cup two years ago.

The next year was also a positive one as the nation's top-tier V-League saw the emergence of former football star, Le Huynh Duc, as a prospective young coach. Duc led Da Nang to a comprehensive win at the nation's top championship.

Meanwhile, Binh Duong made history by becoming the first Vietnamese football club to reach the semi-finals at a continental level competition, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Cup.

And then the national Olympic team (Under 23) put in an impressive performance on their way to the finals of the 25th SEA Games in Laos.

However, the momentum of the previous three years was not carried successfully into 2010.

In the last 12 months, there has been no promising result in competitions both at the club and national team level at regional competitions.

False dawn

After beating Thailand to take the AFF Cup 2008, many fans, experts and even the players themselves seemed to take it for granted that Vietnamese football level has surpassed other countries, especially Malaysia, as local clubs hammered Malaysian counterparts at the AFC Cup.

Star striker Le Cong Vinh, who scored the decisive goal in the final two years ago to help the country win the first AFF Cup, and missed out this year because of injury, had predicted that Viet Nam would reach the final before the semi-final matches.

An Olympic defender had also said that Viet Nam would beat Malaysia while an official of the Ha Noi Football Federation, said that Viet Nam had reached a certain (higher) class as a result of a highly-competitive football championship, V-League and exposure to international competitions.

These people, however, did not take into consideration the role foreign and naturalised players play in the V-League. The success of V-League as well as clubs like Da Nang and Binh Duong at AFC Cup can be significantly attributed to players like Argentina's Gaston Merlo, South African Philani or Brazilian-born Huynh Kesley.

After a wonderful start with a 7-1 demolition of Myanmar, the team seemed to adopt the pride of defending champions, choosing to go on the offensive against all teams.

This strategy failed both times, against the Philippines and Malaysia.

For football fans, the losses were salt rubbed into the wound of the SEA Games defeat against Malaysia in Laos last year.

The defeats have re-ignited the debate about using naturalised players, but if we take the long-term view for the benefit of the national team, it is better to focus on building a really professional football environment and creating more opportunities for talented young local players to improve their skills. — VNS

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Incentive offered to football team

Players on the Viet Nam national team will receive a bonus of at least VND7 billion (US$350,000) if they successfully defend their AFF Cup title.

The Viet Nam Football Federation (VFF) will contribute VND5 billion ($250,000) while the other VND2 billion ($100,000) comes from VP Bank.

"If they win, they will also get awards from VFF's partners and sponsors," said VFF chairman Nguyen Trong Hy. These could be up to VND10 billlion ($500,000).

After winning the championship two years ago, the team was given VND4 billion ($200,000) by the VFF.

Responding to the news, national team manager Henrique Calisto thanked people for their support but said his players were fighting out of a sense of responsibility and national pride, not for bonuses.

Minh hits career-high ranking

Nguyen Tien Minh rose to a career-high, world No 5 International Badminton Federation ranking last weekend.

Minh climbed three places and now has 51,844 points. He is Viet Nam's highest ranked player.

He kicks off his 14th tournament of the year today at the Hong Kong Open. His rival will be the winner of the match between Dionysius of Indonesia and Hong Kong's Yun Hu.

Tu, Lan in Olympics judo qualifier

Two Vietnamese judo martial artists will take part in the London Olympics' qualifier in Tokyo on December 11-13.

Van Ngoc Tu who competes in the women's 48kg class and Nguyen Thi Lan, in the women's 54kg pool, are the best of Viet Nam's current crop. They have won international and regional titles.

The Tokyo qualifiers will give fighters a chance to collect more points towards earning a ticket to compete in London in 2012.

Lifter Tuan faces doping ban

Weight lifter Hoang Anh Tuan may face a one-year ban after his ‘B' sample tested positive for oxilofrine, a substance forbidden by the World Anti-Doping Agency.

The Beijing Olympic silver medallist said he did not use banned substances but had used some flu medicine during his training course in China in October without advice from a doctor. Oxilofrine is one ingredient in many medicines used to treat common illnesses.

Tuan, who was Viet Nam's number one hope at last month's ASIAD, was banned from participating in the event just two days before the opening ceremony.

The lifter is waiting for the final decision from the International Weight lifting Federation. If found guilty, he will receive a minimum one-year ban, and may not be able to join Viet Nam at next December's SEA Games in Indonesia. — VNS

Saturday, October 23, 2010

Golf Challenge to tees off at King Island

The VCCI Golf Challenge will tee off tomorrow at Ha Noi's King Island Golf Club with a view to creating a sports orientated business platform.

The tournament, sponsored by Tung Shing Group, is in its sixth year and is expected to draw around 200 local and foreign business people, mostly from Ha Noi.

The tournament will be played on an individual stroke play basis, using system 36 to compute net scoring and handicaps. There will be two divisions for men based on computed handicaps and one for women.

The organisers said cash collected from the tournament will be donated to victims of the recent flooding in Viet Nam's central provinces.

The Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry will also present a series of four golfing events culminating in a grand final in 2011.

Veteran volleyballer gets national call-up

Veteran Nguyen Huu Ha has been called up to the national volleyball team to compete at the 16th Asian Games after 11 months on the sidelines.

Ha was banned from all levels of domestic competition following contractual complications with Trang An Ninh Binh Club but will start training with the national team next week.

"The call up to the national squad is not a surprise because Ha is an experienced and skilful player. He is necessary for the national team," said Tran Duc Phan, Viet Nam Volleyball Federation general secretary.

Ha said he couldn't believe it when he heard the news because he is still banned domestically. He said despite his own personal training, he is only at 80 per cent but will try his best at the upcoming Games.

U-21 football captain signs for Ha Tinh

Viet Nam's U21 football captain Nguyen Minh Duc has signed a three year deal with Xuan Thanh Ha Tinh for a transfer fee of VND8 billion (US$400,000).

Duc ignored renewed offers from his former club Hai Phong Cement to move to Ha Tinh where he will receive a salary of $2,000 per month.

It is the second big-name signing for the First Division club this week, following the earlier capture of Brazilian-born forward Huynh Kesley Alves, who has dominated the national forward line for years.

The team will start training early next month in preparation for the new season.

Hai Phong sign fullback Phuoc

Hai Phong Cement have signed Tu Huu Phuoc on a two year deal from Khatoco Khanh Hoa.

The VND3 billion (US$150,000) transfer will earn the U21 star a monthly salary of $1,500.

Phuoc was an ideal choice for Hai Phong due to his high levels of fitness and ability to cope with aerial pressure, however, he does lack experience.

The club who finished second in the V-League last season also looked at a number of foreign players on Thursday before introducing four new faces from their youth team who will join the senior squad next year. — VNS

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Football club manager, Team China linked to graft

The former boss of Shanghai Shenhua and two former national team members have been taken into custody for questioning in China's ever-widening football graft scandal, state press said Tuesday.

All have been brought in to "aid" the police investigation, which has already led to the arrest of two chiefs of the Chinese Football Association, the Xinmin Evening News said.

Without citing sources, the leading Shanghai paper outlined an intricately orchestrated scheme of pay-offs and bribes in China's professional league that determined who won the championship and which teams were relegated.

Former Shanghai Shenhua manager Lou Shifang could be facing a probe into 200 million yuan (US$30 million) in alleged bribes paid in 2003 when the team won China's Super League title, the paper said.

Lou is also believed to have been involved in a scam with the arrested former manager of Tianjin Teda, Zhang Yifeng, to help Tianjin avoid relegation that same year, the paper said.

Both allegedly had dealings with former CFA boss Nan Yong, who was arrested earlier this year and charged with fixing matches and accepting bribes.

Gambling, match-fixing and crooked referees in the nation's professional leagues have made the sport the laughing stock of fans and a matter of mounting state concern.

Earlier this month, police arrested Nan's predecessor Xie Yalong, the ex-manager of China's national team Wei Shaohui, and Li Dongsheng, the former director of Chinese football's referee committee.

All three were charged with match-fixing and accepting bribes, China Central Television reported at the time of their arrests.

According to Shanghai's Eastern Sports Daily, former national team players Qi Hong and Jiang Jin were taken into custody, reportedly to aid in a probe into alleged match-fixing during China's qualifying run for the 2002 World Cup.

Six former national team players are suspected of involvement in irregularities related to the Cup drive, the paper said, without naming names or detailing their alleged crimes.

According to state media, CFA officials routinely fixed matches, including national team and league games, by allegedly buying off the teams or referees involved.

As soon as matches were fixed, the officials would allegedly gamble on the outcome, the leading Titan Sports Weekly reported in September.

The suspect CFA officials also reportedly accepted pay-offs from players wanting to be named to the national team—a practice that was also widespread among league clubs.

Monday, October 18, 2010

Thien targets higher ranking

Nguyen Hoang Thien hopes to break into the top 100 junior tennis players rankings after winning two straight titles during the past two weeks.

Thien took home the title at the U18 ITF's Becamex Binh Duong Cup on Friday and won another tournament in Bac Lieu Province.

Thien, who is ranked 369th in the world's junior tennis standings, will compete with the national team for the first time at the 16th Asian Games which will be held in Guangzhou, China in November.

The young athlete will compete at the ITF's group 3 tournament against Malaysian tennis players.

Viet Nam beat India 3-1 in friendly

Viet Nam's Olympic team came from behind to beat India 3-1 during their friendly match on Saturday in New Dehli.

Balwant Singh scored for India nine minutes into the match. Ngoc Dieu responded with a goal to even the score during the first half.

Coach Phan Thanh Hung's players dominated the second half with Dieu scoring another goal during the 56th minute. Striker Nguyen Anh Duc scored the final goal in the match.

The Vietnamese team will compete in a friendly tournament in Bangkok from October 27-31 before participating in the Asian Games.

Quyen signs with Song Lam Nghe An

Former national star Pham Van Quyen has signed a new contract with Song Lam Nghe An, despite having his name tarnished during a match fixing scandal.

Quyen's new contract is for three years but allows him to play for the club until his retirement. In effect, the player has a life-contract with his team, who warmly welcomed his return after a four-year ban for match fixing. His current contract will end by the end of this year.

Quyen was called up for the national team in preparation for the AFF Suzuki Cup 2010 but suffered an injury that resulted in a poor performance during the last season. — VNS

Sunday, September 26, 2010

Matthaeus targets Euro 2012, Berbatov rethink

Lothar Matthaeus

Photo: AFP

New Bulgaria coach Lothar Matthaeus has targeted qualification for the Euro 2012 finals as his number one objective and would like Dimitar Berbatov back on board to lead the charge.

Matthaeus, a former captain of the West German national team and 1990 World Cup winner, said: "I am going to try to catch up on what has been lost, we want to finish at least second in our (Euro 2012 qualifying) group."

The German football great said he also planned to hold talks with Manchester United striker Berbatov in a bid to try and persuade Bulgaria's best player to rethink his decision to retire from international football.

Matthaeus signed his new contract to coach Bulgaria here on Thursday, 48 hours after having been unveiled as successor to Stanimir Stoilov.

On his attempt to entice Berbatov back into the international fold he said: "I plan to start talks with Berbatov. He is still welcome in the Bulgarian national team. As a Bulgarian player he should be proud to play for his country."

Berbatov announced his international retirement in May, explaining at the time that he had become "discouraged" by his performances for his country.

Matthaeus's first match in charge will be Bulgaria's third qualifier against Wales in Cardiff on October 8.

The 49-year-old, the first foreign coach of Bulgaria, has promised to adopt an "attacking style of play".

His last managerial position was with Israeli club Maccabi Netanya, he has also had spells at Partizan Belgrade, Hungary's national team and Red Bull Salzburg.

The position became vacant when Stoilov resigned after Bulgaria lost their opening two Euro 2012 qualifiers against England and Montenegro which has left them in dire straits with no points and propping up Group G.

Matthaeus targets Euro 2012, Berbatov rethink

Lothar Matthaeus

Photo: AFP

New Bulgaria coach Lothar Matthaeus has targeted qualification for the Euro 2012 finals as his number one objective and would like Dimitar Berbatov back on board to lead the charge.

Matthaeus signed his new contract to coach Bulgaria here on Thursday, 48 hours after having been unveiled as successor to Stanimir Stoilov.

Berbatov announced his international retirement in May, explaining at the time that he had become "discouraged" by his performances for his country.

Matthaeus's first match in charge will be Bulgaria's third qualifier against Wales in Cardiff on October 8.

The 49-year-old, the first foreign coach of Bulgaria, has promised to adopt an "attacking style of play".

His last managerial position was with Israeli club Maccabi Netanya, he has also had spells at Partizan Belgrade, Hungary's national team and Red Bull Salzburg.

Thursday, September 23, 2010

France must change criteria to develop youngsters

Newly appointed coach of France's national team Laurent Blanc addresses a news conference at the headquarters of the French Football Federation (FFF) in Paris, July 6, 2010

Photo: Reuters

France, who suffered a humiliating exit from the World Cup, must overhaul their selection policies for developing young talent, new coach Laurent Blanc said on Tuesday.

Blanc told reporters at a UEFA conference in Madrid that the once mighty French side must put more emphasis on technical ability rather than physical power if they were to restore their status.

He said Spanish World Cup winners like Xavi and Andres Iniesta, two of the most gifted creative midfielders in the world game, might not have been successful in French soccer because of their slender physique.

"Selection criteria at one time (in France) were for big players whereas in Spain it's the football that counts, the technical qualities," Blanc said.

"The criteria are not good enough in France -- we need other ones," he added.

"Players like Xavi and Iniesta, in France they would have a hard time getting through."

Blanc took over from Raymond Domenech after Les Bleus were knocked out of the World Cup and he has the task of rebuilding confidence and restoring pride in a squad still reeling from an ugly spat between players and management at the tournament in South Africa.

France's Euro 2012 qualifying campaign got off to a poor start with a surprise 1-0 home defeat to Belarus but they recovered to beat Bosnia 2-0 in Sarajevo in their second match.

Blanc, who played for clubs including Barcelona, Olympique Marseille, Inter Milan and Manchester United, said national team coaches should follow Spain's example if they wanted to be successful, with the focus on technique more than strength.

"Spanish football is profiting from the healthy state of its clubs (like Barcelona)," he added. "It's a good example to follow for all football nations."

Thursday, September 2, 2010

Calisto warns of grueling times ahead

National football coach Henrique Calisto (1st,left) warns of grueling times ahead for the national team

Photo: Tuoi Tre

National football coach Henrique Calisto, who returned to Hanoi from Portugal Wednesday, told Tuoi Tre he is anxious since the short training camps do not seem adequate considering what the team will soon come up against.

You have included both greenhorns and veterans in the team …

As I say, the door to the national team is wide open to all competent footballers. What I have done just mirrors that viewpoint.

So why have you recalled Huy Hoang, Van Quyen, and Van Truong who have not played for the national teams for years?

Though they committed some mistakes in the past, they have paid for them. So now if they can prove that their returns are worthy and they can be pillars of strength for the team, why cannot I give them the opportunity?

I have appraised them thoroughly and recognized their desire, and they have performed rather well in the V-League. So they meet the minimum requirements to be included.

But Van Quyen was often on the bench during the last season. Can he do well for the national team?

Including someone in the national team is my responsibility, but playing depends on their own effort. So do not think that just because they are included they will play.

Since Quyen seems overweight for a professional footballer, I will have specific tactics for him as I did at the 2002 Tiger Cup in Indonesia.

What will be the first thing for you to do when the two teams meet next Monday?

Health check, since most of our players seem to have used up their physical and mental strengths in the national league. So I have to check to know who should get enhanced physical or mental training or both.

I need my boys to be at their fittest physically and mentally so that they can withstand harsh competition during the last selection.

How many footballers will play in the minor football league for the 1,000th anniversary of Thang Long-Hanoi, and how many of the U-23 team will go to India for the friendly match on September 14?

There may be 20 for the former, but I have yet to decide on the exact number for the latter since I have to work with my assistants and the VFF for a final decision.

But I will not take all 30 boys to India so that they can continue training at home.

But the national squad now has only 27 players. So are the remaining spots meant for SHB Danang players?

If they meet my requirements and have no injuries, they can join after finishing duty at the AFC Cup.

Sunday, August 22, 2010

Hai Phong holds carrot for star

V-League side Hai Phong Centre has offered central defender Nguyen Minh Duc VND2.5 billion (US$130,000) annually for the next two years if he extends his contract.

The national team member, who has played for Hai Phong since 2008, has yet to accept the offer.

Hai Phong also have been negotiating with Brazilian maestro Leandro De Oliveira to extend his contract by a year.

Sports photographer dies

Viet Nam's oldest sports photographer, Phan Sang, died in Ha Noi on Thursday from pneumonia.

Sang, 80, has captured some of the most valuable moments in Vietnamese sport since his career started in the 1960s.

They are now on display at the Viet Nam Olympic Museum in My Dinh Sports Complex in Ha Noi.

U-16s prepare for football tourney

The national team has begun training for the Southeast Asia Under-16 football championship held in Indonesia next month.

Head coach Hoang Van Phuc has called up many fresh faces for the September 18-26 tournament where the team will play against China, Timor Leste and hosts Indonesia in a round-robin format.

The two top teams will progress into the final while the other two will play-off for the third place.

The team will train and play some friendlies at the Viet Nam Youth Football Training Centre in Ha Noi before flying to Indonesia on September 16.

Prominent in the team are strikers Do Van Ba of SHB Da Nang and Vo Ngoc Toan of Song Lam Nghe An, leading scorers at the U17 football championship last July.

The squad also includes skillful midfielder Ma Van Tuan and powerful striker Ho Ngoc Thang, both of Da Nang.

The tournament is seen as an opportunity for Viet Nam and fellow qualifiers to make final preparations for the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) U-16 finals, at Tashkent, Uzbekistan from October 24 to November 11. — VNS

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